Back Home Again

Well we arrived safely home and so did all the luggage that accompanied us. (even if the brand new bag we got from the ship got torn up a bit-damn...) We are still awaiting one suitcase from FedEx - tracking says it will arrive today...  I have unpacked half the stuff along with the 5 boxes we mailed from Hawaii.  Am taking a break but will probably unpack more here in a bit.
If you remember, I mentioned I fell on the ship a week ago - although my knee still hurts it is better - it appears that I also battered an ankle and messed up my back-or should I say re-messed it up...  I feel a bit better today, but if I sit too long, I get really stiff.  It is HELL getting old...  
Thanks to Todd for picking us up at the airport - the house was still standing and it is GREAT to get kisses from my dogs...  Looking forward to kisses from Jess too, but won't see him till next week...
I hope you enjoyed reading about our Grand Adventure - we will do another somewhere again, most likely in 2012...  Brian and I want to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  This is my Christmas card this year, as I will be lucky to get a tree up...hehe
In the next day or two I will try to post a few more photos and that will be it...  Happy Blogging GB

back in the USA

We are back in the lower 48 - we arrived in San Diego on Th.  In rereading blogs I noticed I did not mention Hawaii. I have not been to Hawaii since Jess was a baby...  I had a great time shopping with friends.  We went to a muumuu factory and had a blast.  I bought 2 dresses and 3 shirts for B.  Shopped around the mall a bit but it was "Black Friday" so too crowded for me.  I rode the city bus back to the ship and unloaded my packages in my room.  Then went out to the Aloha Tower shops and strolled around.  Called Jess and it was a pleasure to talk to him for awhile...  Bought a beautiful opal bracelet and headed back to the ship.  There was luau by the pool so met up with B and friends and enjoyed a great dinner and we sailed away for the last time...

I did win the ladies golf event so I am the champion of the Amsterdam Open!  I also opted to play in the last poker tourney and came in 3rd - shudda won it but made a play from the small blind after the button folded (with only 3 players left) and the bb had Jacks...  Oh well it was fun and I won more money playing the cash game...

San Diego has been fun too - I have not been here either since Jess was 6...  We rode the trolley downtown and had Chinese food for dinner-yum.  Yesterday I got a manicure, and my hair done while B got a massage...  I think he might of got the better end of the deal...lol!  We met with friends for dinner (sdjen) and had great BBQ.  We parked nearby and rode in a Cinderella carriage to meet them at the eatery.  Today we are meeting up with some of B's George friends...  We may go to a casino this evening or tomorrow.  My knee is much better from the fall but the whole body is still sore-i think I need a massage...  I will write one more blog once we are home in La Vernia - you might check the other blogs as I have added photos to a couple of them... happy reading...

ship at Aloha Tower in Hawaii

2 pigs at the luau        

Knot Over!

Well our Grand Voyage is coming to an end.  We are less than 1000 nautical miles from San Diego...  It has been an amazing journey and we are sad that it is almost over...  but it will be nice to see old friends, our dogs and our son in a couple of days.  We will stay in San Diego for a week then home to Texas.
Unfortunately we have had crummy weather this last couple of sea days.  Gloomy, gray and a bit of rain.  Up until then I have managed to walk my mile daily, but...  the first sea day leaving Hawaii coming out the Lido, I slipped, fell and wrenched my knee...  It is MUCH better (I do miss Dr. JoJo tho)even tho I have other aches and pains too from the fall, so no mile walking for me...  I did manage to qualify for the Amsterdam Open golf tourney despite my injury and am the Ladies Champion!  Yea!! Our trivia team continues to do well even if we don't win every day.  We will have 2 more trivia games today and that will be it...<sniff>
All 7 suitcases are just about packed-I have to finish up with the last minute things...  Brian has been on a roll in the casino and has won a bit at the slots.I have not won much at poker but been having a blast with my 'game genie" buddies, Joe & Ryan, playing Fun 21...  today is the last poker tourney and I am not sure I will play, maybe...  Well we will see ya'll soon- I am not sure I am ready to enter the real world again, especially at Christmas time...  I will miss my bed being turned down at night, knowing friends are just upstairs along with the casino, having my own seaview walking track and chocolates on my pillow...  hope this finds you well...  hugs GB
PS: I do have some photos which I will add once we are in San Diego - the ships internet is tooooo slow to handle pics...